General William Colfax | |
|---|---|
 Colfax, c. 1785 | |
| Born | July 3, 1756 New London, Connecticut Colony, British America |
| Died | September 9, 1838 (aged 82) Passaic County, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Buried | Colfax Family Burying Ground, Wayne, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Years of service | 1774-80, 1811-12 |
| Rank | Captain |
| Battles / wars | American Revolutionary War |
| Spouse(s) | Hester Schuyler |
| Relations | Schuyler Colfax |
William Colfax (July 3, 1756 – September 9, 1838) was an American officer who served as Captain of George Washington's Life Guard beginning on March 18, 1778.[1] William was the fifth child born to George Colfax (born: December 25, 1727) and Lucy Avery (married April 13, 1749), who had a total of ten children. Colfax was about 5'-10" tall and weighed about 190-200 lbs. He had blue eyes, dark hair, and was clean shaven.[1] His hair was powdered[1] and worn in a queue, tied with a black ribbon, till his later years. He was married to Hester Schuyler, cousin of Philip Schuyler, of Pompton on August 27, 1783, together they had six children. Together they lived in Hester's inherited Schuyler-Colfax House in Wayne, New Jersey, which today is a museum. Their grandson was Schuyler Colfax, the 17th Vice President of the United States.[2]
- ^ a b c Harry M. Ward (October 8, 2009). George Washington's Enforcers: Policing the Continental Army. SIU Press. pp. 60, 64, 67–70. ISBN 9780809386550.
- ^ William Nelson (1876). Biographical Sketch of William Colfax, Captain of Washington's Body Guard.